Category: Articles

Articles / Interviews

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The Horror Tree Presents: Author Interview – Kristopher Triana

The Horror Tree Presents: Author Interview – Kristopher Triana

By Lionel Ray Green

 

Since the advent of the Splatterpunk Awards in 2018, Kristopher Triana has been one of the most celebrated authors of the extreme horror subgenre.

With eight nominations since 2019, Triana has won two Splatterpunk Awards for his novels Full Brutal and The Night Stockers, which he co-wrote with four-time Splatterpunk Award-winning author Ryan Harding.

In February, Bad Dream Books released Triana’s novel, The Old Lady. The story is about Tracey, the daughter of a traumatized Vietnam War veteran, who returns to the remote cabin of her youth only to face a new danger that launches her into survivalist mode when a stranger needs help rescuing her friends from a compound run by extremists.

Triana is perhaps best known for his Splatterpunk Award-nominated novels Gone to See the River Man and its sequel Along the River of Flesh. Gone to See the River Man has garnered almost 16,000 ratings on Goodreads and earned the Best of #BookTok banner on Amazon.

Triana agreed to an exclusive email interview with Lionel Ray Green for The Horror Tree about the Splatterpunk Awards, the success of his Gone to See the River Man series, and why The Old Lady Tracey is one of his favorite protagonists.

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Articles

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Writing Prompt Wednesdays: Keeping Secrets

Writing Prompt Wednesdays: Found Footage

Welcome to “Writing Prompt Wednesdays,” a haven where your imagination can roam free in the realms of speculative fiction. As we embark on this weekly journey, it’s thrilling to think about the untold stories waiting to be penned in the domains of horror, science fiction, and fantasy. Whether you’re a seasoned author or a budding wordsmith, these prompts are your gateway to unexplored worlds and untapped potentials.

Every Wednesday, we’ll serve up a fresh, thought-provoking prompt designed to ignite your creative spark and challenge your storytelling prowess. Think of these prompts as a key, unlocking the doors to uncharted territories where your creativity is the only limit. From eerie, shadow-laden corridors of Gothic horror to the farthest reaches of interstellar space, and the mystical depths of high fantasy, our prompts are a kaleidoscope of possibilities.

Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to approach these prompts. They are mere stepping stones, guiding you towards the vast landscapes of your imagination. Use them to break free from writer’s block, to experiment with new ideas, or simply as a fun exercise to keep your writing skills sharp.

This week’s writing prompt:

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Articles / Interviews

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Bruce Bethke & Stupefying Stories

Bruce Bethke & Stupefying Stories

by Angelique Fawns

 

Ever wonder where the term “cyberpunk” comes from? Bruce Bethke is the creator. The term was born when his story story “Cyberpunk” appeared in Amazing Stories in November of 2023. But that’s not all this influential author (and musician!) is known for. He wrote the award-winning novel Headcrash and created Stupefying Stories, an online and print magazine run under his Rampant Loon Press imprint.

 

I met Bruce Bethke when he purchased my short story “Graveside Dining” which you can read for free here:  https://stupefyingstories.blogspot.com/2023/10/graveside-dining-by-angelique-fawns.html

I love this market so much, another of my strange stories goes live on Saturday, March 9th:
https://stupefyingstories.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-hangover-and-hag-by-angelique-fawns.html

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Articles / Reviews

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Epeolatry Book Review: There’s Something Here from Somewhere Else by Jonathon T. Cross

Disclosure:

Our reviews may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through the links in this article we may receive a small commission or referral fee. This happens without any additional cost to you.

Title: There’s Something Here from Somewhere Else
Author: Jonathon T. Cross
Genre: Cosmic Horror
Release Date: 8th February, 2024

Synopsis: When 10-year-old Lydia received a mysterious doll on her stoop, she never dreamed it would become the catalyst for a perilous adventure.
Although new to town, and shunned by the locals, she can’t dispel their whispers of an ancient creature dwelling beneath the still waters.
Some dismiss the creature’s existence, while others insist that the very fabric of their town, from its flora to its fauna, is under the influence of the Lurker.
Faced with tragedy, Lydia’s doll becomes a beacon of hope. But who gifted it, and can it protect her from the town’s oldest resident?
As Lydia grapples with the enigma of her doll and the dark forces that surround her, she forms an alliance with Jaxson, a cursed boy whose own destiny is entwined with the town’s secrets.
Together, they embark on a journey to resist the otherworldly influence of the Lurker. Can Lydia and Jaxson defy the odds and unravel the mystery before succumbing to the sinister will of this ancient entity?

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Articles / Guest Post

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WiHM 2024: 5 March Horror Book Releases From Women

Image donated by Sara. C./center>

March is often our last month before spring gets its foothold into the earth, sprouting flowers and ushering us out into the sunshine. As goth girls who can’t get enough of reading dark books by a crackling fire, we hope you take this opportunity, like we are, to stay inside, cozy under a black blanket for a little bit longer. And since March is Women in Horror Month, what a great excuse to pick up these five March horror book releases by women. 

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Sad News – Bards and Sages Publishing Is Shutting Down

In the world of speculative fiction, the closing of a beloved publisher can feel like losing a trusted old friend. That’s the weight we carry today as we say farewell to Bards and Sages Publishing, a beacon for writers and readers alike for over two decades. Founded by Julie Ann Dawson, whose love affair with horror began in the quiet corners of her high school library with a Stephen King novel clutched in her hands, Bards and Sages has been more than just a publishing house; it’s been a community, a launching pad for stories that dare to explore the unknown, and a sanctuary for those who believe in the power of imagination.

Julie’s decision to close the doors is from the harsh reality—balancing the scales between passion and practicality, between the love of storytelling and the weight of personal health and the changing tides of the publishing industry. In her candid farewell, she touches on the battles with mental health, the challenges of managing a day job alongside a publishing empire, and the daunting surge of AI-generated content that threatens the very authenticity of human creativity. (And our own submission inbox as well…)

Bards and Sages Publishing’s legacy is not just in the books, magazines, and stories it leaves behind, but in the spirit of community and innovation, it fosters. Julie’s work has been a labor of love, a beacon in the speculative fiction world, lighting the way for authors and artists. As she embarks on this difficult process of winding down, she ensures that the rights and works of those she’s published will be respectfully handled, preserving the integrity of their creations. It’s a graceful exit, mindful of the legacy and the impact Bards and Sages has had on the literary world.

To Julie and everyone who’s been a part of the Bards and Sages journey, thank you for twenty years of magic, of nightmares dressed as dreams, and for proving, time and again, that the pen is indeed mightier than the sword—or in this age, the algorithm. Hopefully, even with the shuttering of your doors, we can keep this to be true. Your contribution to the world of speculative fiction will not be forgotten.

You can find their official announcement stored below for posterity:
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Indie Bookshelf Releases 03/08/2024

Got a book to launch, an event to promote, a kickstarter or seeking extra work/support as a result of being hit economically by life in general?

Get in touch and we’ll promote you here. The post is prepared each Thursday for publication on Friday. Contact us via Horror Tree’s contact address or connect via Twitter or Facebook.

Click on the book covers for more information. Remember to scroll down to the bottom of the page – there’s all sorts lurking in the deep.

 

Before you scroll down through the books however, please could you consider checking out the ‘Creatives in Crisis’ section. This has been added to help those who need additional support at this time. Please note I keep these up as long as they’re either running or have hit their targets. The two still showing, Claire Fitzpatrick and Bill Spangler continue to need support. Thank you!

 

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Articles

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Who sold the most books in 2023?

Who sold the most books in 2023?

Women authors filled the bestseller lists for 2023 with 17 of the top 25 bestselling books on Publisher Weekly’s list being written by women. Similarly, Amazon’s top 25 best selling books in 2023 featured 13 books by women. Another trend this year was the dominance of adult fiction over children’s fiction. Publisher’s Weekly’s list only has six children’s books included and Amazon’s list only has five. But which authors sold the most books?  Spread across multiple platforms, formats, and sellers, finding the exact numbers to determine the exact order of best-selling authors is difficult. So I have chosen to feature 10 of the best-selling authors in 2023.

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